Hold Capital: Falkreath

Related Quests

• Daedric Quests: A Daedra’s Best Friend
• Daedric Quests: Ill Met By Moonlight
• Dark Brotherhood Quests: Side Contracts: Helvard
• Miscellaneous Objectives: Innkeeper Rumors (Dead Man’s Drink)
• Miscellaneous Objectives: Once a Thalmor...* (Runil)
• Miscellaneous Objectives: Vighar the Vampire* (Dengeir of Stuhn)
• Favor (Activity): Harvesting Crops* (Mathies)
• Favor: Special Delivery* (Thadgeir)
• Favor: A Little Light Thievery* (Dengeir of Stuhn)
• Favor: Rare Item Hunt* (Jarl Siddgeir)
• Favor: Item Retrieval (Cave)* (Runil)
• Favor: Jobs for the Jarls* (Jarl Siddgeir)
• Crafting Tutorial: Alchemy* (Zaria)
• Thane Quests: Thane of Falkreath Hold*

Habitation: Hold Capital (Minor)

Crafting

• Alchemy Labs (2)
• Arcane Enchanter
• Blacksmith Forge
• Grindstone
• Tanning Racks (4)
• Workbench

Services

• Trader (Apothecary): Zaria [9/12]
• Trader (Blacksmith): Lod [25/33]
• Trader (General Store Vendor): Solaf [12/19]
• Trader (Innkeeper): Valga Vinicia [13/15]
• Trainer (Conjuration: Journeyman): Runli [3/3]

Special Objects

• Shrines of Arkay (3) [9/12; 10/12; 11/12]
• Civil War: Map of Skyrim

Collectibles

• Skill Book [Block]: Death Blow of Abernanit [C2/10]
• Skill Book [Illusion]: The Black Arts on Trial [E2/10]
• Skill Book [Restoration]: Racial Phylogeny [C2/10]
• Skill Book [Smithing]: Light Armor Forging [D1/10]
• Skill Book [Speech]: A Dance in Fire, v6 [B2/10]
• Skill Book [Two-Handed]: The Legendary Sancre Tor [D2/10]
• Unique Item: Cursed Ring of Hircine [65/112]
• Unique Item: Ring of Hircine [66/112]
• Chest
• Potions aplenty
• Loose gear

Lore: City Overview

The capital of Falkreath is infamous for its bloody history and sprawling graveyard. Its name is not Nordic in origin, but Elvish, though even they no longer remember its meaning. The town, and its graveyard, blossomed over the ages from a monument commemorating the Battle of Sungard. A statue once stood commemorating the spot where Kjoric the White fell in battle defending Falkreath from the First Empire, and legend has it that his son, Hoag Merkiller, fell in exactly the same spot when he retook Falkreath years later. The residents of Falkreath take a certain pride in this history and their cemetery, though some darkly refer to Falkreath as “Where heroes come to die.”

In recent years, the Jarl’s family has become bitterly divided between Siddgeir, the avaricious Imperial Jarl, and his uncle, the former Jarl Dengier, who was forced from his position due to his growing Stormcloak sympathies. The people of Falkreath work hard just to keep the town functioning properly despite the political struggles. Isolated and isolationist, the capital of Falkreath is unwelcoming to visitors, with stern facades and its haunting graveyard. Some say wisps flit across the graveyard at night, and lonely buildings feel surrounded by the graveyard and hidden foes on the treeline’s edge, while gloomy interiors hold the court of a Jarl with a family divided.

Important Areas of Interest

Main Thoroughfare

Jarl Siddgeir’s moneymaking schemes are paying dividends, as the settlement of Falkreath is well guarded, featuring fortified gates at opposite ends of town. The main thoroughfare is mostly paved, and there’s always a guard presence. There’s room for a small farm and lumber mill to support the local economy.

Jarl’s Longhouse

The following leaders of Falkreath are loyal to the Imperials at the start of the Civil War.

Jarl Siddgeir

The nephew of Dengeir and now the Jarl of Falkreath, Siddgeir has always had money and power, although he’s done little to deserve either. He acts as Jarl now that his uncle has given up the position. Siddgeir mostly focuses on ways to acquire more money and protect his newfound power. His main concern is busybodies like Valga Vinicia, Tekla, and Narri, who he fears might ruin his family’s name. However, he has already amassed his own supporters: Solaf and Bolund, a pair of brothers who complete occasional dirty deeds on his behalf.

Nenya (Steward)

Nenya is an overworked High Elf who attempts to maintain order and is the brains behind the throne. She isn’t conniving or plotting, just attempting to maintain order while in the service of an incapable leader.

Helvard (Housecarl)

A loyal bodyguard and skilled military tactician, Helvard serves as a bodyguard for the Jarl. While he has great respect for the position of Jarl, Helvard agrees with Nenya that neither Dengeir of Stuhn nor Siddgeir are suited for the important decisions of the town, and he works with her to guide the Jarl’s policies to what is best for the city.

Legate Skulnar

The following residents of Falkreath control the capital, once this Hold has fallen during the Civil War.

Jarl Dengeir of Stuhn

Once the Jarl of Falkreath, now “voluntarily” lowered to the position of Thane, Dengeir of Stuhn was a great warrior and virtuous hero of Falkreath in his youth. However, he has outlived his glory and is slowly descending into a creeping paranoia. He sees enemies hidden everywhere and rarely goes out in public. Shortly before Imperial pressure forced him from his position as Jarl, Dengeir very nearly exiled all Imperials from Falkreath, a proclamation prevented only by Nenya’s careful council. Dengeir is a strong supporter of the Stormcloaks, but he knows to stay quiet about his support.

Tekla (Steward)

As further evidence of his growing dementia, Dengeir names his house servant Tekla as his Steward when the Stormcloaks restore him to the position of Jarl. He does this not because he believes that she is qualified to hold the position (she almost certainly isn’t) but because she is the only person left who he trusts.

Jarl Siddgeir runs Falkreath Hold from this impressive Longhouse. His main reason for supporting the Empire is because it makes life more profitable for him, so he continues to find ways to line his own pockets with their help. As a result, much of the day-to-day workings of the Hold are still handled by his overworked Steward, Nenya, and she works with Helvard to deal with matters of military defense, such as bolstering the city from Civil War attacks. He has welcomed Legate Skulnar into his hearth and home, and turned the wine storage room into a place where the Imperials can plot war. The Jarl’s bedroom has two display cases ([Adept] and [Expert]), the latter of which has a Skill Book to read. There’s another on a table in the War Room, and an Arcane Enchanter on one of the upstairs balconies.

• Crafting: Arcane Enchanter
• Skill Book [Block]: Death Blow of Abernanit [C2/10]
• Skill Book [Pickpocket]: Guide to Better Thieving
• Civil War: Map of Skyrim
• Chest
• Potions aplenty
• Loose gear

Falkreath Barracks

Sinding

The three floors of Falkreath’s Barracks are where the town’s guard sleep, drink, and return to drink some more. Find a Skill Book tucked between some wooden crates near the entry door. The bedrooms are upstairs, and most of the meals (and brawling) occurs on the ground floor. Below is a cellar, or Falkreath Jail, where mainly petty thieves or drunkards are placed. However, one specially reinforced cell holds the “monster” Sinding, who is a threat to all the townsfolk after he murdered the child of Mathies and Indara.

• Skill Book [Illusion]: The Black Arts on Trial [E2/10]
• Skill Book [Two-Handed]: The Legendary Sancre Tor [D2/10]
• Unique Item: Cursed Ring of Hircine [65/112]
• Unique Item: Ring of Hircine [66/112]
• Evidence Chest
• Prisoner Belongings Chest
• Chests (3)
• Loose gear

Grave Concoctions

Zaria

Her Alchemist’s Store is well stocked, and she is able to talk through the rudiments of mixing potions to anyone who is interested. Discover a Skill Book on the floor behind some baskets near the bed.

• Crafting: Alchemy Lab
• Trader (Apothecary): Zaria [9/12]
• Potions, Food, Ingredients
• Skill Book [Alchemy]: De Rerum Dirennis
• Chest
• Potions aplenty

Lod’s House

Lod

Near his forge, and is almost always locked. Inside is a private letter requesting some ore and a cellar to inspect. A Skill Book rests atop a barrel downstairs.

• Crafting: Blacksmith Forge, Grindstone, Tanning Racks (3), Workbench
• Trader (Blacksmith): Lod [25/33]
• Weapons, Apparel, and Misc
• Skill Book [Smithing]: Light Armor Forging [D1/10]
• Private Letter
• Chest (2)
• Loose gear

Gray Pine Goods

Solaf

Bolund

Solaf runs this general store that is owned by Siddgeir—which has a surprising array of goods for such an isolated town—while his brother voices disapproval of the Imperials around Falkreath. The only obstacles to the brothers becoming the most powerful family in town are Valga Vinicia and her “daughters,” who Bolund sees as busybodies and gossips who have something against him. Solaf and Bolund’s sister Grelka left them for Riften a while ago, sick of their attitudes. Solaf and Bolund don’t particularly miss her.

• Trader (General Store Vendor): Solaf [15/15]
• Weapons, Apparel, Potions, Scrolls, Food, Ingredients, Books, Misc
• Potions
• Loose Gear
• Chest (2)
• Strongbox (Apprentice)

Dead Man’s Drink

• Valga Vinicia
• Narri
• Delacourt

A cozy tavern with a roaring fire and fine food, the Dead Man’s Drink stands in stark contrast to the Jarl’s court and is the far more inviting world for visitors. The owner, Valga Vinicia, is always glad to listen to a traveler’s tales, and the server, Narri, collects gossip from around the town, particularly from her sister, Tekla, who works as a maid for Dengeir. Valga Vinicia has slowly become aware of the Dengeir’s paranoia and has long known of Siddgeir’s corruption, and she grows concerned for the town. A Skill Book is kept behind the counter.

• Crafting: Alchemy Lab
• Trader (Innkeeper): Valga Vinicia [13/15]
• Room for the night, Food
• Innkeeper Rumors
• Skill Book [Speech]: A Dance in Fire, v6 [B2/10]
• Chest (3)

Corpselight Farm

• Mathies Caerellia
• Indara Caerellia

Indara and her husband, Mathies, reside peacefully at the Corpselight farm, so named because a past resident helped develop the idea of “cultivating” the witchlights and wisps that illuminate the edges of the town graveyard. Currently, the pair are managing a bumper crop of potatoes, cabbages, and gourds.

• Skill Book [Restoration]: Racial Phylogeny [C2/10]
• Chest

Dengeir’s House

Tekla

Once the Jarl of Falkreath, now “voluntarily” lowered to the position of Thane, Dengeir of Stuhn was a great warrior and virtuous hero of Falkreach in his youth. However, he has outlived his glory and is slowly descending into a creeping paranoia. Dengeir of Stuhn is loathe to meet guests and sees threats and conspiracies everywhere. His rantings terrorize his servant, Tekla. Tekla will raise the alarm if you decide to break into this dwelling, if she’s inside this location.

• Crafting: Tanning Rack
• Chest

Deadwood Lumber Mill

Hardly a hive of activity, the mill isn’t utilized to capacity thanks to the lackadaisical attitudes of its owner, Jarl Siddgeir, and its abrasive foreman, Bolund.

Hall of the Dead

• Runil
• Kust

Originally meant for the cemetery’s groundskeeper, this now consists of a dwelling for Runil and Kust and a makeshift shrine for Arkay, the god of birth and death. Unlike the larger Hold capitals, there is neither the room nor the coin to build a mausoleum to the fallen, who are buried outside in the cemetery instead. Inside, a Skill Book is hidden under the bed near the chest.

• Trainer (Conjuration: Journeyman): Runli [3/3]
• Skill Book [Conjuration]: The Doors of Oblivion
• Shrine of Arkay [9/12]
• Shrine of Arkay [10/12]
• Shrine of Arkay [11/12]
• Chest

Cemetery

The graveyard encroaches into the town and is large compared to the population. Most of the graves have worn away, including a memorial statue commemorating Hoag Merkiller and Kjoric the White, who died defending Falkreath from outsiders. By tradition, the graveyard at Falkreath is the central graveyard for all residents of Falkreath Hold, and the many battles for control over the Hold have provided it with no shortage of graves. Because the town has a resident priest of Arkay, the grave sites are better maintained than in smaller cemeteries, and in many cases, the tombstones have long outlasted the bodies of those they were meant to commemorate.